Packing for Disney World may be the last step in your vacation planning process, but it is by no means the least important. When it comes to creating your Disney World packing list, you’ll need to think about what you need in the parks as well as during your journey.
Of course, there are the basic necessities of clothing, shoes, and toiletries, but considering some other essential items in your Disney World packing could make your vacation far more enjoyable.
For those of you doing Disney World on a budget, you could even save some money.
Essential Disney World Packing List Tips
We’ve taken countless trips to Disney World over the years. In the beginning, it wasn’t unheard of to have a panic moment at least once during the trip, because we’d forgotten something of critical importance.
Once it was a bathing suit. Imagine not being able to enjoy the fabulous water slides at your resort.
Believe it or not, we’ve even forgotten socks for one of the four children. Fortunately, that was long before we’d become Disney vacation planning veterans.
As a result, we’ve developed a Disney World packing list that we make sure to heed. Read on for the things we can’t do without.
You might just find that you need them too.
Put an Extra Pair of Shoes on Your Disney World Packing List
Florida rains are notorious. We’ve been drenched many times, and that means shoes and socks as well as hair and clothes.
Usually, our footwear is still wet the next morning. When packing for Disney World, we’ve learned the value of an extra pair of walking shoes. You may not have considered the luxury of slipping into a dry pair of shoes in the morning, but if you ever have to put on a rain-drenched pair from the previous day, you’ll understand what we mean.
And don’t forget those trips to the pools. You’ll want something that is easy to slip on and off your feet and doesn’t take up much space in a suitcase. That’s why we always think of footwear in our Disney vacation planning and include a pair of flip-flops or small sandals on our packing list.
Disney World Packing Checklist for Rainy Days
Speaking of those Florida rains, you’ll pay a premium for Disney-themed rain gear if you’re caught without. It’s happened to us before, so we decided to include them in our own Disney World packing guide.
In the past we’ve compared rain coats to rain ponchos and found we preferred the latter. They can be easily crammed into a backpack and can easily be pulled out to provide protection on water rides.
We’ve used both the disposable ponchos and the non-disposable variety. For us, the sturdier, non-disposable ponchos were a better bet as we were able to reuse them on subsequent trips.
On the other hand, If you don’t think you’ll ever have the need to don what resembles a large Glad bag, feel free to opt for the tossable variety when packing for Disney World. With a little care, they should hold up for the length of your trip.
While your rain poncho will keep your upper body dry, we found it didn’t do much for our feet. In fact, rain from the poncho has a tendency to drip into shoes and boots. That’s why we’ll be trying waterproof boot covers and silicon shoe covers on our next trip. Finding shoe covers that grip around the ankle or leg should keep rain from filling shoes and boots.
Must-Have Portable Chargers for Disney Parks
When using the My Disney Experience app in the park, we found that battery life on our phones was drastically reduced. At home, I can usually get one to two full days before needing to recharge my device, but in the parks, we were lucky to make it half of a day.
Fortunately, on our last trip, we brought along the TYLT compact charger. It isn’t as flashy as some but was adequate for our needs. It fit easily in a pocket or backpack, worked with multiple types of phones and gave a full charge quickly. It is also economically priced and works great for devices using.
On my last trip, I entered the parks only to find that my phone had not charged over night. Since it wouldn’t power up using any of the battery charging pacs on hand, we suspected a faulty USB-C connection.
To be sure it was my phone and not our battery packs – and with only 3% of battery life remaining – I desperately stopped at one of the portable phone charging kiosks and purchased a reusable charging device. The charger was small and cylindrical shaped, and for $30 came with everything needed to charge my phone:
- One fully charged portable phone charger
- One 3.5” USB to micro-USB cable (for most Android devices)
- One USB C Adapter (needed for some Android devices)
- One 3.5” Apple Lightning to USB cable (for iPhone generations 5+)
When I drained the juice from that device, all I had to do was find another kiosk, drop my spent cell in and receive a new powered up charger. There was only one problem. I found myself dropping off one charger in exchange for another all day long. Worst of all, I was never able to charge my phone much above 25%, a fact that lent more credance to the supposition that my phone was at fault.
Seeking a better solution, my son went on Target’s website while we waited in line for the arrival of the Train running on the Disney World Railroad at Magic Kingdom. He found me this excellent Mag-safe charger, which we ordered right there in the queue. Before heading back to the room that night, we swung by Target in our rental car and had the purchase delivered curbside.
Later that night, I discovered that a faulty electrical outlet was to blame for the charging issue and not my phone’s charging port. It seems our older battery packs were not compatible with my brand new iPhone 15 either, so I can’t regret the purchase of the Mag-safe charger. It’s been an invaluable addition to all of our travel adventures since we use our phone to take a lot of pictures and videos. It’s easy to handle and comes without limiting cords that get in the way of photographing sites and experiences.
When it comes to Disney World travel, if you plan to use the My Disney Experience app (and you really should), a portable charger should be included on your Disney World packing checklist.
Best Sunscreens for Your Disney World Vacation: The Florida Sun Can Get Really Hot!
Being from the north, we suffered terrible sunburns on one of our earliest trips to Florida. It was a lesson learned, and we’ve always made certain to include sunscreen when packing for Disney World.
In the cooler months, we may only wear full body sunscreen when enjoying the pools, but during the summer, when the sun is at its strongest, we slather it on before going to the parks.
For arms and legs, we don’t have a strong preference for any particular brand as long as it’s SPF 30 or above, but we feel quite differently about protecting the skin on the face and neck.
A few years ago, Sandy Roos recommended Elta MD. She’s a highly-respected consultant to plastic surgeons and is in the know on the best products, so I took her advice.
We haven’t regretted it yet.
Why We Like Elta MD
One of the battles I had with getting my daughters to wear sunscreen was the heavy oily feel of many products. This was a particular concern during adolescent, acne-prone years.
Elta MD makes several different versions of their products, so it’s easy to find one that’s right for your skin type as well. I have used the UV Daily.
UV Daily contains hyaluronic acid, so it’s a nice choice for older skin. I’ve used it in place of my moisturizer, and it makes a nice, light substitution in the Florida humidity. It also has a tint, so it reduces the need for concealer or foundation. That’s part of my morning routine that I am happy to skip when on vacation.
My youngest daughter uses UV Clear for acne prone skin. She can apply it without worrying about additional breakouts caused by the ingredients in many sunscreens.
Taryn, who is now in her middle twenties, finds the UV Physical to be the best. It stays put even if you get wet or sweat, so there is no need to worry about losing protection and getting burnt.
Even if you don’t use Elta MD products, a facial sunscreen is a must-have on your Disney World packing list. There is nothing like a bad sunburn to put a damper on your trip.
Additional Sunscreen Recommendations for Your Disney World Packing List
In case you haven’t noticed, we are really serious about protecting skin from the sun. If you don’t find what you’re looking for in the list above, here a few other options we have tried and loved.
- ISDN Eryfotona Actinica: This lightweight mineral sunscreen is one of my daily go-tos. It goes on easily, with a slight white cast that quickly dissipates. It layers well beneath make-up and offers consistent protection. I have yet to get burnt when wearing this sunscreen and when reapplied throughout the day, does keep my face from tanning. According to ISDN, patented DNA Repairsomes®, have been clinically proven to help repair existing sun damage as well. Since I apply other products to assist with the fading of dark spots on my skin, I can’t speak directly to this claim.
- Supergoop! Mineral Powder: This brush-on powder sunscreen has proven indispensable for days in the park. I don’t use it as my daily sunscreen or for the first application of the day. However, it is quite handy to brush on throughout when I need to reapply in the parks.
- Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36: I recently took a Disney trip with my friend Sandy mentioned above. She urged me to try her Alastin sunscreen, and now I am hooked. Since it’s tinted, I tend to use this when I want a little bit of extra coverage on my skin. It’s a great sunscreen for skipping your foundation and kept my skin protected on many sunny December days last year.
Don’t Forget Your Disney Themed Clothing!
Cooler Months Means Thinking about Extra Layers when Packing for Disney World
Our favorite time to travel is in the late fall or in the months of January or February. Unfortunately, that can mean dealing with some chilly temperatures. When considering packing for Disney World, you’ll need to think about adding some layers to your typical daily attire.
Even if the day is going to be warm, you will often need a jacket in the morning. My youngest daughter loves her North Face Osito, mainly for the plush softness. It’s light but warm, comes in a variety of Disney-friendly and every-day colors, and can be used again if your home is located in cooler climates.
My other kids are content to wear a hoodie or hooded sweatshirt, but like the North Face, they do take up a bit of room in a backpack. Since we tend to carry small backpacks, that means these items usually end up being carried or tied around the waist as the temperatures warm up throughout the day.
That’s why I like a packable jacket if the weather promises a warm up in the afternoon. It provides adequate protection against chill mornings, and when the day gets warmer, it folds up small and is easily carried or tossed into the backpack without taking up too much space. If we have a strong cold snap, as has happened during two of my last three trips, I can add an extra sweater or sweatshirt under it to keep warm. Packable jackets are available through multiple brands in both and mens and women’s sizes.
If you’re traveling in the cooler months, consider how you will handle the changing temperatures in your Disney vacation planning.
Additional Tips for Disney World Packing List
While not critical, there are some other things we always consider when packing for Disney World. Packing these simple items can bring added comfort and relaxation to your Disney World trip.
How to Pack for Kids at Disney World
Since we live in the Pacific Northwest and Northeast, traveling to Disney usually means a plane ride. My kids still remember the days when we included Schleich horses and Gameboys in our Disney World vacation packing. These were generally only used to occupy them during the flight, and while that statement definitely dates them (and me), it underscores an important point.
Kids going to Disney are bursting with excitement, so even a shorter three-hour plane ride can seem like an eternity, to say nothing of enduring the trip from Oregon (see my unhappy son-in-law above). Making sure they have something enjoyable to do can ease the burden of waiting and make the trip easier to bear for both child and adult.
Headphones Encourage Relaxation on Flights
My last flight from Portland into Hartford convinced me of the bliss of a good pair of quality headphones.
A family of six decided to separate their party a few rows apart, despite being the first ones on the plane (thanks to Southwest Airlines’ liberal pre-boarding policy). They then proceeded to spend the remainder of the flight loudly yelling to each other across the other passengers seated in between. My Bose SoundLink over-ear headphones got me through the three-hour flight to Chicago.
These are not noise cancelling but did drown out the din around me quite nicely and at a cheaper price than those designed to truly cancel out sound. I bought mine at Costco before the holidays, but Walmart’s price isn’t far off the mark if you aren’t a Costco member.
While you may not think children will need headphones, please consider the people around you on the plane. Most airlines have policies requiring passengers to use headphones for playing video or online games with the sound on or when watching videos or shows on any electronic device. This includes children. You may be accostomed to blocking out the ping and ding sounds of children games, but your nearby seatmates may not be.
In addition to packing for the plane, here are some additional items that will help to make your child’s trip to Disney a little more special (or safe). Don’t forget to pack:
- Autograph book: Disney characters will sign their name or pawprint when asked. To record these precious keepsakes, many parents will purchase autograph books and bring them back year after year. My adult kids still have their childhood autograph books tucked away in their keepsake boxes. These can be purchased in the parks or ahead of time.
- Strollers or baby carriers: Strollers can be rented at Disney World, but many parents feel the molded plastic design is uncomfortable. Others prefer to skip the morning wait for their stroller or the cost to rent at Disney. However, little legs will get tired crossing the square miles of Disneyparks, so you will need a stroller on your magical adventure. If you aren’t renting in the parks, remember to bring your own. Most airlines will allow you to check these gateside with no fee. You can also rent for a fraction of the cost from Kingdom Strollers. It’s easy to pick your stroller up at the airport or have a customer service agent meet you at your resort with the stroller.
- Snacks and hydration: Some children have finecky appetites, so you might want to consider packing some healthy and kid-approved snacks to keep them fueled when visiting the parks. Since hydration is equally important, you may want to pack a stash of juice boxes, mini water bottles or any other liquid child prefers. Having your child’s favorite snack or go-to beverage on hand can be a soothing comfort at night in your hotel or if the sights and sounds of the park become too much. It can also make your life eaiser if you have children with food allergies, since you can easily pull a safe snack out of your pack instead of hunting one down in Disney shops or restaurants.
- First Aid and Medication: The first aid center located in each Disney park will have common over the counter drugs as well as bandages and the like. You can also find formula and diapers if you find you’ve run out while in the parks. However, it you’re partial to a particular brand or require medications that are not typically found in your local drug store, be sure to have these items on your Disney World packing list.
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How to Pack Efficiently for Disney World: Packing Cubes and More
Another thing to keep in mind when packing for Disney World is the fact that you will be living out of a suitcase. My consultant friend, Sandy Roos, mentioned above, does a lot of traveling for her job. Living out of a suitcase is a weekly occurrence for her, so I trust her thoughts on travel gear.
Awhile ago, she recommended travel cubes as an easy way to keep things organized within a suitcase. Packing like items together, such as socks, shirts or underwear, makes it easy to find what you want as you get ready to head off to the parks.
If you plan to thoroughly unpack at your hotel, travel cubes can be taken right from the suitcase and placed in a drawer, making the chore of unpacking go that much faster. After all, it’s about getting out to the parks as fast as possible, right?
I often empty my packing cubes and then reuse them for dirty clothing. It’s another hack to keep things organized and make the process of transitioning back to home life go a lot easier once you return from your vacation.
You’ll find many different varieties available. While my fun-loving side gravitated toward palm trees and tropical flowers, I opted for the basic mesh-front cubes. With the mesh fronts, I could easily see what was in each bag without having to unzip several to find what I wanted.
Unlike some other varieties, the mesh cubes can be machine-washed on gentle and line dried. One thing to note, you may want to avoid red or dark colored bags. One reviewer found they bled onto her clothing when the airline left her luggage in the rain. I’ve never experienced this with the gray bags.
Recently, I discoverd compression packing cubes. These do make it possible to fit a little more into your suitcase, since they can effectively squeeze out a lot of the air. However, I found you have to be strategic when packing with these. Some items, such as jeans or other bulky clothing, actually took up less space when rolled.
In addition to packing cubes, here are some other tips to make packing and unpacking less of a chore when you travel:
- Select the right luggage: When traveling to Disney World, you tend to leave your vacation with more than you brought with you. Since most airlines impose weight restrictions on checked bags, how heavy your luggage is before packing could be a big deal. I found this out the hard way a few trips back when trying to pack for home with a few additional souvenir popcorn buckets and some new additions to my wardrobe. I was over the weight limit by about 50 pounds and had to repack items. This hassle could have been avoided if I’d opted for lighter weight luggage. Additionally, make sure you have wheeled baggage for ease and convenenice. Four multi-directional spinner wheels are best for free flowing movement.
- Efficient storage for electronic accessories: We often travel with an overflowing list of devices, including phones, tablets, cameras, bluetooth headphones and watches that all need to be charged. Even if your list isn’t quite as prolific as ours, you’ll find it much easier to set up in your home away from home if you can ditch some of the cords and charging devices. That’s why we love this 3-in-1 charging station for Apple devices. It folds into a compact cube for travel and unfolds flat to charge your phone, watch and Airpods. For other cords, we’ve purchased this handy storage case. I can easily tuck cords and bricks inside, and it saves me a lot of time hunting through backpacks for the right item.
Making the Most of Your Disney Trip
No matter when you are going or how long you are staying, a little bit of thinking ahead when packing for Disney World can go a long way. Missing even a few simple items can have a big impact on your trip, so pull out your pen and start making a Disney World packing list before you leave.
